Agriculture: Bluetongue

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mr Jonathan Shaw, on 19 March (Official Report, Commons, 1123W), whether the movement of animals susceptible to bluetongue from a restricted zone in one European Union country to a free zone in another is matched by an ability to move such animals under similar veterinary oversight from a restricted zone in the United Kingdom to a free area in the United Kingdom.

Lord Rooker: Yes. The EU Commission Regulation 1266/2007 on Bluetongue allows the movement of ruminant animals, including camelids, out of a protection or surveillance zone under certain conditions. This applies across the EU (including from UK zones to free areas in the UK and other member states).

Agriculture: Cross-compliance Rules

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to introduce legislation to assist farmers in ensuring that new occupants of land disposed of after 15 May in any year maintain it for the rest of that year, in line with cross-compliance rules.

Lord Rooker: No, Council Regulation 146/2008 makes it clear that liability with regard to fulfilling cross-compliance requirements rests with the farmer who submitted the aid application. Ensuring maintenance of land for the rest of the calendar year following a land transfer should be dealt with by private law arrangements between the parties concerned, as envisaged in the Council regulation.

Airports: Heathrow

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether bedding, beds and showers are available for those held for longer than 12 hours in the short-term holding facilities at Heathrow Airport.

Lord West of Spithead: Pillows and disposable blankets are currently available for all detainees in immigration holding rooms.
	We are currently looking at the feasibility of installing showers into the holding room at Terminal 5 and into the facility which will replace the removals room in Queen's Building at Heathrow.
	There are currently no plans to provide beds in any of the holding rooms, but we are investigating the provision of reclining seats in the replacement facility for Queen's Building.

Airports: Heathrow

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the implementation of Operating Standard No 2, "Holding Room Care", by the contractor in the short-term holding facilities at Heathrow airport is satisfactory.

Lord West of Spithead: Each of the key policies in the escorting contractor's Operational Policy Standard and Procedures No 2, entitled "Holding Room Care", is implemented to a satisfactory standard.
	The UK Border Agency acknowledges that detainee welfare is of prime importance and works closely with the contractor to ensure continuous improvement in this area.

Alcohol

Lord Monson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 1 April (WA 145), whether their policy of imposing excise duty on strong cider (7 per cent alcohol by volume) at less than 29 per cent of the rate imposed on beer of a similar strength is consistent with their desire to curb alcohol abuse.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government take seriously the problems associated with alcohol misuse. The Government published their alcohol strategy, "Safe. Sensible. Social" in June 2007. This commits all departments to work together to address what is a society-wide problem.
	The increases in alcohol duty announced at Budget will raise revenue to ensure we can continue to tackle child poverty and help pensioners.

Armed Forces: Surveillance and Reconnaissance

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much they have contributed to the cost of the Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition in each financial year since the project began in 2005; what their further financial commitments are; and how this money is provided.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The UK's contribution to date has been €103,000 in 2005, €140,000 in 2006 and €142,000 in 2007. Further financial commitments are €150,000 in 2008 and €46,000 in 2009. The money is paid by MoD to the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) under an MOU technical arrangement between NC3A and the participating nations.

Armed Forces: Surveillance and Reconnaissance

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of the total cost of the Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition they provide.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The UK contributes 11 per cent of the programme costs.

Armed Forces: Surveillance and Reconnaissance

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to ensure that the output of the Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition is embodied in the resources available under the Berlin Plus arrangement for military operations conducted by the European Union.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The interoperability benefits delivered by the Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition (MAJIIC) project to the seven EU participants will also be available between participants regardless of the coalition configuration.

Armed Forces: Surveillance and Reconnaissance

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the link between United Kingdom assets, such as the ASTOR aircraft and the work of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratories, and the Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: We currently expect that ASTOR output will become available to NATO allies through Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition (MAJIIC) capabilities. Dstl has played an important advisory role in the ASTOR and MAJIIC programmes.

Armed Forces: Surveillance and Reconnaissance

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they have taken to ensure that the equipment of the United Kingdom Armed Forces is fully compatible with the findings and recommendations of the Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition; and what further steps they will take in this regard.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The UK DABINETT programme, which aims to improve the quality and timeliness of the intelligence delivered to commanders, will encompass the interfaces required for interoperability with coalition partners in order to share data. The Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition (MAJIIC) project work on technical interfaces, harmonisation of international standards and the development of NATO Standardisation Agreements (STANAGS) will inform the DABINETT programme.

Carers

Baroness Thomas of Winchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they plan to make it compulsory for those in receipt of direct payments for care to have potential carers checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.

Lord Darzi of Denham: Direct payments recipients can ask their local authority to carry out a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) check on a potential carer if they wish to do so.
	We encourage people to have checks carried out; however, we do not intend to make this a compulsory requirement. To do so may not be appropriate in all cases, for example, where a person wishes to employ a family member or a personal friend as their carer.
	Checks should not be necessary when carers are employed via a registered domiciliary care agency, as CRB and POVA checks on their staff will have already been undertaken.

Climate Change

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For each year from 1988 to 2007 inclusive, (a) how much was paid by the United Kingdom to or for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) or any technical panel or other division thereof; and (b) what was the total income and expenditure of the IPCC and any technical panel or other division thereof.

Lord Rooker: The UK contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) Trust Fund from 1988 to 2007 is shown in Swiss Francs in the tables below.
	
		
			 1988-89 1990-91 1992-93 1994-95 1996-97 1998-99 
			 90,579 566,850 551,140 248,848 370,965 552,078 
		
	
	
		
			 2000-01 2002-03 2004 2005 2006 2007 
			 708,750 456,830 250,000 250,203 250,000 250,000 
		
	
	In addition to our voluntary contribution to the trust fund, the UK committed to support the Technical Support Unit (TSU) for the Working Group II (WGII), which is co-chaired by Professor Parry and the TSU for the Synthesis Report (SYR) for the production of the fourth assessment report. Details of such contribution in Swiss Francs are as follows:
	
		
			  2003-04 2005 2006 2007 2008 Total  (over 6 years) 
			 TSU WGII + co-chair 1,158,915 790,720 1,148,851 1,253,734 322,185 4,674,405 
			 TSU SYR   242,020 169,656 105,037 516,713 
			 Total 1,158,915 790,720 1,390,871 1,423,390 427,222 5,191,118 
		
	
	Previously Defra (formerly known as DETR) funded the TSU for Working Group I, which Sir John Houghton co-chaired for 14 years. We do not currently hold details of the contribution.
	(b) At the beginning of 2007 the IPCC Panel started with an adjusted balance of 10,790,573. Total income was 6,639,354. Total expenditure 7,802,741. The carryover remained approximately the same over the years.
	The IPCC budget includes the flow of voluntary contributions from different countries, meetings arranged for governing bodies, lead authors, scoping meetings, expert meetings and workshops, translation, publications, software, running of the secretariat and outreach events. The budget, and therefore the figures above, do not include the running costs for the three working groups nor for the task force on the inventories, supported independently, by individual countries.
	Details of the budget for the whole fourth assessment report cycle should be obtained at the next IPCC Plenary (1-3 September 2008). We are not able to trace back the income and expenditure of the IPCC since 1988. This needs to be queried to the IPCC secretariat.
	I am unable to provide a full Answer as some of the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	N.B. All currency is in Swiss Francs—currency rate as per 4 April: 1£=2.01683 CH.

Climate Change: Emissions Trading

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they propose to spend the proceeds derived from the auctioning of the emission allowances under phases II and III of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme; and what estimates they have made of the amount of such proceeds; and
	Whether the proceeds derived from the auctioning of the emission allowances under phases II and III of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme will be deployed to stimulate private sector investment in low-carbon infrastructure projects; and, if so, how this will be done.

Lord Rooker: The Government plan to auction 7 per cent of allowances in phase II of EU ETS, amounting to approximately 85 million allowances, plus those allowances from installations that close during phase II and any unused surplus from the new entrant reserve (NER). Under the terms of the EU ETS Directive 2003/87/EC the total number of allowances auctioned cannot exceed 10 per cent of the number allocated during phase II. The auctioning levels for the EU ETS post-2012 have not yet been determined. However, the Chancellor recently announced that the UK will auction 100 per cent of allowances to the large electricity producers. The amount of revenue will be influenced by the market price at the time of the auctions.
	We will not be hypothecating the revenues from the auction. The Government's spending priorities are not, in general, determined by the way in which the money is raised. Hypothecating revenues to particular-spending programmes imparts inflexibility in spending decisions and can lead to a misallocation of resources, with reduced value for money for taxpayers. The spending review process ensures that resources are allocated efficiently to deliver government objectives and ensures priorities, such as education and health, receive the increased levels of funding, as set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR).

Climate Change: Rainforests

Lord Eden of Winton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they have recently taken to persuade other Governments to conserve rainforest habitats for the benefit of indigenous plants, animals and people; and in what ways they are monitoring progress on this matter.

Lord Rooker: The UK Government have invested considerable amounts in terms of both funding and other resources, such as expertise, and representation through the UN and G8 processes, and it would not be possible to make reference to all this activity here. However, some examples of UK Government assistance towards the conservation of rainforests follow.
	UK is working with other countries under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to conserve forests through implementation of the forest biodiversity programme of work;Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD)—UK supporting a demonstration project and announced £50 million for reducing deforestation and poverty in the Congo Basin and a contribution of £15 million to the World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility;support of the Heart of Borneo initiative, which aims to protect important biodiversity and wildlife habitats, prevent illegal forestry/agribusiness and promote indigenous sustainable livelihoods and covers an area 90 per cent of the size of the UK, Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia; and under the Darwin Initiative—a grants programme that aims to assist countries rich in biodiversity but poor in financial resources to implement their biodiversity-related commitments—the Government have committed more than £60 million to 464 projects in more than 100 countries, many of them towards forestry projects in the developing world.

Crime: Sentencing

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they most recently issued guidance to the judiciary in Northern Ireland concerning sentencing; what the guidance was; and whether they propose to issue further guidance in the near future.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The statutory sentencing framework, that is the range of sentences available to a judge in connection with particular offences, is a matter for the Government and, ultimately, Parliament.
	The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal delivers guideline judgments on sentencing in Northern Ireland. These sentencing guideline cases encourage consistency in sentencing throughout the courts of Northern Ireland and support sentencers in their decision-making. In addition, the Judicial Studies Board of Northern Ireland publishes significant decided cases on its website (www.jsbni.com) and provides training to the judiciary on a range of issues, including sentencing.

Cycling: Offences

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 22 April (WA 277—8), whether cycling on footpaths is on the increase; and what steps they will take to prevent it.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Cycling on the footway (the pavement adjacent to the carriageway) is an offence under Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835, as amended by Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1888. The maximum fine is £500 or the police can issue a fixed penalty notice costing £30.
	There are no statistics that can verify whether cycling on the pavement is increasing. However the Ministry of Justice collects statistics which show the number of cyclists prosecuted for the offence. Figures from 2002 to 2006 inclusive are provided in the table below.
	
		
			 Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts for cycling on a pavement, England and Wales 2002-06(l)(2) 
			 Year Proceeded against 
			 2002 94 
			 2003 95 
			 2004 118 
			 2005 143 
			 2006 145 
		
	
	(1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis.
	(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.
	Source: Court Proceedings Database—Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Ministry of Justice
	The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the offence selected is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	The table shows a marginal increase in the last years for which figures are available.
	In addition the fixed penalty notice (FPN) is used to deal with this offence and 1999 and 2000 the police issued respectively 665 and 821 FPNs for this offence, the only years for which these statistics were centrally collected.
	For comparison cyclists travelled on average 4,000,000,000 kilometres each year between 2002 and 2006.
	We will continue to remind cyclists of their responsibilities and the current Highway Code also reminds cyclists of these responsibilities.
	There is also no excuse for cyclists who put pedestrians at risk by breaking these and other road traffic laws.
	The responsibility for enforcement of course rests with the police. It would be for individual local police forces to decide whether an increase in enforcement resources was necessary to combat a local problem.

EU: Applicant States

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the European Union can require internal constitutional changes by applicant states, in particular for federal countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina; whether there is discretion in such matters; and whether they are the responsibility of the Commission or the Council of Ministers, or both.

Lord Malloch-Brown: In order to join the EU, candidates must meet the Copenhagen criteria, including political and economic requirements, as well as adopting the EU legislation (the EU acquis). This may involve far-reaching legislative reforms.
	For a pre-candidate country such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, the European Commission proposes an annual assessment of progress and reform priorities. These assessments may sometimes highlight the need for constitutional changes. The Commission manages and supports pre-accession preparations. The member states must unanimously agree each stage of the accession process, for example the signature of a stabilisation and association agreement.

EU: Eastern Border States

The Earl of Dundee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What further plans they have to assist stability in south-east Europe.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government believe that integrating the countries of the western Balkans into the EU will be the best way to move the region forward from the conflicts of the 1990s and to ensure long-term stability and security. To this end the Government are contributing funding through the EU's Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, which will channel around €4 billion to the western Balkans over the period 2007-11. The UK is separately providing around £14 million for the region through the Department for International Development's bilateral funding, around £2 million through the Reuniting Europe programme and an additional £7.8 million through the Conflict Prevention Pool for 2008-09, all increases on last year's spending. The Government are further contributing to stability and security through their diplomatic efforts in the region, encouraging countries to deal with threats to inter-ethnic relations and also progress on the reforms needed for EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation membership. The Government will also participate fully in the International Steering Group on Kosovo, as well as the Peace Implementation Council for Bosnia.

EU: Parliamentary Scrutiny

Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Malloch-Brown on 10 March (WA 200), whether they can give 10 further examples of the incorporation into European Union legislation of a recommendation of the European Union Scrutiny Committee of either House.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government take the views of the Scrutiny Committees of both Houses extremely seriously in developing their approach to proposed EU legislation and other important EU policy initiatives.
	The Lords EU Select Committee publishes more than 40 reports annually (47 reports in 2007), about half of which are debated and will have in excess of 300 exchanges of correspondence with Ministers on documents considered by the committee. The committee also takes evidence from Ministers and officials to inform their reports. The committee publishes an annual report each year which summarises the committee's extensive activity (2007 report was 36th report, 06-07, HL 180) and also publishes regularly compendia of correspondence with Ministers (last report was 40th report, 06-07, HL 187). These reports help shape public policy and keep a check on government activity.
	Evidence of the valuable work done by the Lords Select Committee can be found in these reports, all available in the House of Lords Library and on the parliamentary website.

EU: Parliamentary Scrutiny

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Malloch-Brown on 12 March (WA 231) concerning European Union legislative competence, whether the example they gave is the only instance of a European Union legislative institution having altered legislation as a result of proceedings in either House of Parliament; and if not, what are the other examples since 1 January 2000.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government take the views of the Scrutiny Committees of both Houses extremely seriously in developing their approach to proposed EU legislation and other important EU policy initiatives.
	The Lords EU Select Committee publishes more than 40 reports annually (47 reports in 2007), about half of which are debated and will have in excess of 300 exchanges of correspondence with Ministers on documents considered by the committee. The committee also takes evidence from Ministers and officials to inform their reports. The committee publishes an annual report each year which summarises the committee's extensive activity (2007 report was 36th report, 06-07, HL 181) and also publishes regularly compendia of correspondence with Ministers (last report was 40th report, 06-07, HL 187). These reports help shape public policy and keep a check on government activity.
	Evidence of the valuable work done by the Lords Select Committee can be found in these reports, all available in the House of Lords Library and on the parliamentary website.

Farriers' Qualification (European Recognition) Regulations 2008

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have carried out an assessment of the affect on animal welfare of the Farriers' Qualification (European Recognition) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/646); and if so, with what results.

Lord Rooker: The Farriers' Qualifications (European Recognition) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/646) amend the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975. The amendments made were necessary in order to implement fully directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications, the main provisions of which were implemented by the European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2007 (SI 2008/2781) which came into force on 19 October 2007.
	The Farriers' Qualifications (European Recognition) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/646) amend the Farriers (Registration) Act to provide for the registration of those intending and entitled to provide farriery on a temporary basis in the UK as well as those farriers wanting to do so on a permanent basis. No formal assessment of the impact of these regulations on animal welfare has been carried out. Provisions on the formalities that competent authorities and EU migrants must comply with, and the evidence as to qualifications that migrants must submit to demonstrate entitlement to pursue farriery in the UK in accordance with the directive, are dealt with in the European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2007 (SI 2008/2781). The Farriers' Qualifications (European Recognition) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/646) cross-refer to those regulations.
	The amendment to the Farriers Registration Act, providing for registration of temporary providers of farriery services in Part V of the Farriers Register, will have a positive impact on animal welfare because it will enable the Farriers Registration Council to take disciplinary action against those registrants, should this be necessary.

Food

Lord Krebs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In light of recent price increases of many basic foods and global shortages of certain commodities, what proactive steps they are taking.

Lord Rooker: The Prime Minister has written to the Japanese Prime Minister asking him, as chair of the G8, to take action in a number of key areas in response to rising food prices. The Prime Minister also hosted a food summit on 22 April 2008 to consider these issues. The current increase in food commodity prices is due to a number of factors and the Government are looking at a range of short- and medium-term responses to the current situation, including how, through co-ordinated international action, we can support the world's poor and developing economies in which access to food is most under threat.

Government: Cabinet Meetings

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What has been the average length of full Cabinet meetings since Mr Gordon Brown became Prime Minister; and
	What was the average length of full Cabinet meetings in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, and (c) 2007 while Mr Tony Blair was Prime Minister.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: It is established practice not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet, including average duration of meetings. It is generally not disclosed as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.

Health: Alzheimer's

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much the Department of Health has allocated for research into Alzheimer's disease in each year since 1997.

Lord Darzi of Denham: Both the department and the Medical Research Council (MRC) support research into Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Annual expenditure figures are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Expenditure on dementia research (£millions) 
			 Year Department Medical Research Council Total 
			 1997-98 0.4 5.5 5.9 
			 1998-99 3.2 6 9.2 
			 1999-2000 1 7.2 8.2 
			 2000-01 4.7 8.2 12.9 
			 2001-02 2.9 6.6 9.5 
			 2002-03 1.6 6.6 8.2 
			 2003-04 1.1 7.4 8.5 
			 2004-05 19 6.2 25.2 
			 2005-06 18.3 6 24.3 
			 2006-07 22.8 Not yet available - 
		
	
	The departmental figures for the years from 1997-98 to 2003-04 relate to national research programme expenditure. They do not include the part of the research and development allocations made annually at that time to National Health Service providers and spent on dementia research. That information was not collected prior to 2004-05.
	The MRC is one of the main agencies through which the Government support biomedical research. The MRC is an independent body funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Health: Medical Devices and Medicinal Products Directive

Lord Walton of Detchant: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to seek amendment of the Medical Devices and medicinal products directives, which control the classifications of products licensed for use across the European Union, with a view to clarifying the status of some borderline products; and
	Whether they regard it as appropriate that copies of a proprietary laxative preparation, licensed in the United Kingdom and classified as a medicinal product under the medicinal devices and medicinal products directives, are being sold in some countries of the European Union as medical devices.

Lord Darzi of Denham: There are no current plans to amend either the medical devices or the medicinal products directives in order to clarify the status of some borderline products. The definition of a medicinal product in the Community code relating to medicinal products, the directive on medicinal products, was only recently clarified with regard to the borderline with medical devices and other legislation in an amendment to the medicinal products directive which came into force in 2005. The medical devices directive was only recently amended in September of 2007 when the legislators considered that there was no need to further clarify the borderline with medicinal products.
	The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which is responsible for the regulation of medicinal products and medical devices in the UK, is aware of differences between the regulation of laxative preparations within Europe and has been actively seeking to have these discussed at a European level and included within relevant publications to enable a consistent interpretation between member states.

Housing

Lord Burnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many new residential dwelling starts were made in the first quarter of each year from 1997 to 2008 inclusive.

Baroness Andrews: The number of new build starts for England are tabulated below:
	
		
			 Jan to March of each year Total Starts 
			 1997 39,877 
			 1998 38,149 
			 1999 39,269 
			 2000 36,404 
			 2001 38,819 
			 2002 40,511 
			 2003 42,458 
			 2004 40,400 
			 2005 48,177 
			 2006 43,655 
			 Source:  New build completions from P2 returns submitted by local authorities and the National House Building Council (NHBC)

Immigration: Detention

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they have withheld from publication since September 2006 details of the length of detentions under Immigration Act powers.

Lord West of Spithead: Following a change in the system in which information is collected, statistics on all persons detained under sole Immigration Act powers by length of detention are not available after September 2006. Information on minors has only been made available through the examination of individual cases, which would only be possible for adult detainees at disproportionate cost.
	Details of the length that children have been held in detention have continued to be published in the quarterly web-based asylum statistics bulletin in table 13.
	The UK Border Agency is committed to ensuring its published data are of the highest standards. A robust method for the collection and production of statistics on length of detention is being formulated and data will be published when the agency is satisfied the quality meets its standards.
	Published statistics on immigration and asylum are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Israel and Palestine: Physicians for Human Rights

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have received representations directly from Physicians for Human Rights—Israel; if so, whether they have responded; and whether the quartet and its representative have acted on its representations.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We greatly appreciate the work of humanitarian organisations working in the Gaza Strip. We have received a written report from Physicians for Human Rights-Israel on the situation in Gaza. I understand that Physicians for Human Rights-Israel gave a presentation to various officials in the Department for International Development on 28 April. Unfortunately I am not in a position to comment on correspondence between the quartet, its representative, and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel.

Marine Environment: Bay of Biscay

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made by United Kingdom scientists, working with their counterparts in France, the Republic of Ireland and Spain, to secure the Bay of Biscay extra territorial waters as part of the North Atlantic Regional Studies programme of scientific, geopolitical and geophysical examination.

Lord Malloch-Brown: In 2006, the UK, Ireland, France and Spain made a Joint Submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, regarding the continental shelf area beyond 200 nautical miles in the Bay of Biscay, as provided for by Article 76 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The submission is currently under examination by the Commission. The process is in its final stages and the results of the Commission's deliberations are expected in the next six to 12 months. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, together with scientists from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, assisted by the UK Hydrographic Office, are engaged in researching and presenting this submission to the Commission.
	This process does not form part of any other scientific programme.

Northern Ireland Office

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 1 April (WA 159) concerning the number of employees in the Northern Ireland Office, what is the meaning of "the CSR07 settlement reduced the department's administration cost budget by five per cent year on year, but these reductions have been reallocated to front-line service delivery areas, so may not affect overall headcount numbers".

Lord Rooker: As part of the NIO's CSR07 settlement the department had its administration budget reduced by 5 per cent year on year. This equated to administration cuts of £-2 million, £-4 million, and £-6 million across 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively, and this will result in a reduction in staffing levels to live within the reduced administrative baselines.
	The money saved has been re-allocated to additional front-line service delivery programmes in criminal justice and policing. This additional funding for service delivery areas could lead to an increased staffing requirement within those areas which may mean there is no overall reduction in the staffing numbers.

Northern Ireland: Bill of Rights

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they gave an undertaking to the chief commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission that parliamentary time would be made available for a Rights Bill for Northern Ireland in 2009.

Lord Rooker: No decision will be taken on the scope for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland until the Government have considered the advice that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is tasked with providing under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. That advice is expected in December 2008. Therefore no commitment has been given to legislate in 2009.

Northern Ireland: Bill of Rights

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it was the role of the Northern Ireland Bill of Rights Forum to advise the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on a potential Bill of Rights; and whether it is the role of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to advise the Government on a potential Bill of Rights; and if so, why the two bodies have the same function.

Lord Rooker: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer given to him on 19 February 2008 (Official Report, col. WA 40), setting out the terms of reference of the Bill of Rights Forum; and to the Written Answer given to him on 18 March 2008 (Official Report, col. WA 30), in relation to the functions of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The functions of the two bodies are not the same.

Official Transport: Speed Limits

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether escort cars for VIPs in Northern Ireland are subject to the national speed limits; and if so, whether drivers of such cars have been informed.

Lord Rooker: The chief constable has provided the following Answer.
	Police officers driving police vehicles for purposes such as escorting VIPs are subject to the national speed limits. These police officers are trained to a national advanced police driving standard and the responsibility to drive safely is communicated to them on this course and is reinforced at frequent management briefings.

Official Visits: Irish President

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many official visits the President of the Republic of Ireland has made to Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; and what they estimate to be the total cost to the United Kingdom of those visits.

Lord Rooker: There have been no official visits made by President McAleese over the past five years. However she has made a number of private working visits to Northern Ireland during this period.

Police: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals there are to restart the police service in County Fermanagh, including providing accommodation for its employees; whether any decision has been taken and if so, by whom; whether there was a consultation period and if so, who was consulted, who expressed opinions, and what is the timetable.

Lord Rooker: The chief constable has provided the following Answer.
	The PSNI is currently carrying out a review of its estate strategy which includes County Fermanagh. The review will consider potential station closures. A six-week consultation period commenced on 21 April 2008.
	The stations being considered for closure are Kesh, Belleek, Belcoo and Newtownbutler. Public consultation meetings were held in each of these localities during the week commencing 28 April 2008. Written responses will also be accepted. No final decision has been taken in relation to any of the station closures.

Police: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals there are to reshape the police service in County Tyrone including reducing the number of police stations; whether any decisions have been taken; if so, by whom; whether a consultation period was involved; if so, who was consulted and who expressed opinions; and what is the timetable.

Lord Rooker: The chief constable has provided the following Answer.
	The PSNI is currently carrying out a review of its estate strategy which includes County Tyrone. The area of County Tyrone includes areas from G (Strabane, Limavady, Foyle, Magherafelt) and F (Omagh, Cookstown, Dungannon & South Tyrone, Fermanagh) Command Units. The review will consider potential station closures.
	A review of the police estate in G district is under way and details of a similar review for Dungannon and South Tyrone and Cookstown Command Units in F district will commence shortly. Public consultation meetings will be held and written responses will also be accepted. No final decision has been taken in relation to any of the station closures in both districts.

Police: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals there are to reshape the police service in County Londonderry including the number of police stations; whether any decisions have been taken; if so, by whom; whether a consultation period was involved; if so, who was consulted and who expressed opinions; and what the timetable is.

Lord Rooker: The chief constable has provided the following Answer.
	The PSNI is currently carrying out a review of its estate strategy which includes County Londonderry. County Londonderry covers the police estate in Foyle and Magherafelt Command Units. The review will consider potential station closures.
	A six-week consultation period has commenced in relation to a review of Bellaghy PSNI Station and details of a similar consultation for Foyle will be circulated in due course. Public consultation meetings will be held and written responses will also be accepted. No final decision has been taken in relation to any of the station closures in either Foyle and Magherafelt Command Units.

Pollution: Airborne Particles

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to promote further scientific research into the quantities of pollutant airborne particles per cubic centimetre of air in different parts of the United Kingdom and their effects on average life expectancy.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The department has recently published a £1.2 million call for proposals on the health effects of air pollution. The areas highlighted under the call include: the effects of long term exposure to air pollutants on cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity; the population groups most susceptible to the effects of air pollution on diseases such as heart disease; and linking potential mechanisms for toxicity and measurement metrics with epidemiological effects of fine particles on life expectancy.
	In addition, the department's committee on the medical effects of air pollutants advises the UK health departments on the effects on health of both outdoor and indoor air pollutants on the basis of data currently available. It also assesses the need for further research and liaises as necessary with other government bodies to assess the effects of exposure and associated risks to human health.
	We also understand that the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, both of which are research centres under the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), are especially involved in particulates research and their effects on human health.
	In addition, a joint environment and human health programme will strengthen the UK's capacity for multidisciplinary studies into environment and human health issues. This three-year programme is supported by NERC, the Environment Agency, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Health Protection Agency.

Prisoners: Voting Rights

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What information they have provided to the Committee of Ministers on the implementation of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Hirst v United Kingdom on prisoners' voting rights; and
	What is the Government's current action plan to implement the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 6 October 2005 in Hirst v United Kingdom; and
	Whether, and if so when, they intend to introduce draft legislation to implement the judgment on Hirst v United Kingdom.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government have previously submitted to the Committee of Ministers a timetable based on a two-stage consultation process aimed at establishing the views of the public, electoral administrators and others on how the franchise should be extended and on the wealth of detailed questions about how this would be achieved in practical terms. The first consultation exercise concluded in March 2007. However, since that point the context for the debate about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and in particular the exercise of the franchise, in the United Kingdom has changed very significantly.
	In July 2007 the Government published The Governance of Britain, a Green Paper setting out a range of proposals to reinvigorate democracy and rebuild public trust and engagement in politics. At the core of the Green Paper is a proposal for a national debate on citizenship, and the rights and responsibilities that attach to the concept of being a citizen. The Government committed to taking action to ensure a clearer definition and understanding of the rights and responsibilities that attach to British citizenship. In addition, the Goldsmith review published on 11 March 2008 made recommendations about the right to vote being linked to citizenship.
	The Government remain committed to carrying out a second, more detailed public consultation on how voting rights might be granted to serving prisoners, and how far those rights should be extended. In light of The Governance of Britain Green Paper and the Goldsmith review, the Government consider it essential that changes to the law to extend the franchise to those held in custody are considered in the context of the wider development of policy on the franchise and the rights that attach to British citizenship, in order that reform in this fundamental area can proceed in a holistic way.
	The Committee of Ministers is next due to sit from 4 to 6 June 2008 and the Government have submitted details of our intended course of action. We intended to submit further information to the Committee of Ministers in due course on the form and timing of a further consultation in the light of the wider debate which is now taking place. Following consideration of the outcome of consultation, legislation to implement the Government's final approach will be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Prisoners: Voting Rights

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the reasons for the delay in publishing the responses to the Government's consultation process on the implementation of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Hirst v United Kingdom; and
	Whether the judgment in Hirst v United Kingdom can be implemented without amending Section 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 either by primary legislation or remedial order.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights found that in the case of Hirst the UK's current policy of a blanket ban on all sentenced prisoners from voting is in contravention of Article 3 of Protocol No.1 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Therefore it is anticipated that Section 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 will need to be amended either by primary legislation or remedial order to comply with the judgment.
	The Government are currently considering how to take forward the implementation of the Hirst judgment in light of the first stage consultation on this issue and will publish the responses in due course. We also remain committed to carrying out a second, more detailed public consultation on how voting rights might be granted to serving prisoners, and how far those rights should be extended. This is a sensitive and complex issue, we need to look very carefully at what the right approach should be; ultimately it will be a matter for Parliament to decide

Qualifications

Lord Rix: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they plan to review their policy on equivalent or lower qualifications.

Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: No. The purpose of the ELQ policy is to incentivise institutions to recruit more adults without a higher education qualification, especially those from non-traditional backgrounds. It needs to be set alongside our other policies to unlock talent. While the arrangements could be fine-tuned over time if we are convinced by new evidence that changes are needed, no one has put forward a convincing argument that the principles behind the policy are the wrong ones.

Russia: Human Rights

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the 19,300 cases outstanding against Russia before the European Court of Human Rights on 1 January 2007 will be dealt with; and whether new procedures are needed to prevent further delays.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government fully support the work of the European Court of Human Rights and are a strong advocate of reform measures to improve its effectiveness. An efficient court is essential for the promotion and protection of human rights.
	Both the UK and Russia agree on the need for reform of the court to ensure it functions more effectively and can address the backlog of cases. The UK believes that Protocol 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights must be implemented to achieve this goal and allow the court to address its increasing backlog. We are disappointed that Russia is the only Council of Europe member state not to have ratified the protocol. We, in concert with the majority of Council of Europe member states, the EU presidency and other EU member states, have called on Russia to ratify Protocol 14 swiftly.

Russia: Human Rights

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any British citizens are charged in Russia with offences in connection with the Yukos oil company; whether any have been found guilty; and whether the Government have joined the requests of the European Court of Human Rights for full access for his family and lawyer to Mr V Aleksanyan, now in custody.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We are not aware of any British citizens having been charged in Russia in connection to the Yukos oil company.
	We have not raised the case of Mr Aleksanyan with the Russian authorities since the Russian Federal Penal Service agreed to the Russian Human Rights Ombudsman's demands that he should be moved out of prison to a specialised clinic where he can receive vital treatment for his condition. However we support the calls for his family and lawyer to have full access to Mr Aleksanyan and continue to monitor the situation closely.

Taxation: Flights

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the consultation period ends for the changes to air taxation to charge aircraft rather than passengers; and when a decision is expected.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The consultation period on the Government's proposed duty payable per plane—aviation duty—ended on 24 April. The Government expect to make a decision on taking aviation duty forward in the autumn.

Taxation: Income Tax

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have estimated what the cost will be of the measures related to the removal of the 10p starting rate of income tax announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 23 April.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Chancellor wrote to the Chairman of the House of Commons Treasury Committee on 23 April to outline that the Government intend to do more to help low-income households. This letter made it clear that a report into the issue will be published in time for the Pre-Budget Report, and that the Chancellor will report back to the House of Commons in the Pre-Budget Report.

Waste Management

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 22 April (WA 296) concerning waste management, how they are making it easier for local authorities to plan for and put in place the waste infrastructure needed to process more recyclable materials.

Lord Rooker: We believe that all local authorities should have in place a strategy for managing their municipal waste. In some circumstances this is a statutory requirement. Government must also give local authorities the help they need to deliver and we have therefore produced policy and practice guidance to help local authorities in developing their strategies. Both sets of guidance are online at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/planning.htm.
	Local authorities are best placed to plan and deliver necessary recycling infrastructure for their areas.
	Additionally, the waste infrastructure capital grant is an unring-fenced capital grant that will be paid to upper tier authorities (unitary and county councils) in most of England between 2008-09 and 2010-11. The funding available has been increased from around £105 million to £185 million over the next three years. The grant will be paid to local authorities in recognition of the need to get front-end waste infrastructure, e.g. recycling and composting facilities, on the ground in time to help England meet landfill targets. The grant is front loaded, i.e. more in the first two years and less in the third year, to help local authorities that wish to invest to help meet the 2010 landfill target.
	The Defra-funded waste and resources action programme (WRAP) has provided advice on the design and management of and contracting with materials recovery facilities and will be continuing with work in this area. WRAP has also supported private companies in extending reprocessing capacity in paper and organics, so that there will in turn be greater demand for recyclables collected by councils. Additionally, local authority trials of food waste collections have been funded and infrastructure provided. Investment in home composting has also been supported by WRAP.

Young Offenders

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many occasions was restraint or restraint involving pain distraction used between 1 January and 31 March in (a) Hassockfield, (b) Rainsbrook, (c) Medway, and (d) Oakhill secure training centres.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The following table, based on information provided by the Youth Justice Board, shows the number of restrictive physical interventions (RPIs) in secure training centres between 1 January and 31 March 2008.
	
		
			 RPIs January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 
			 Hassockfield 27 32 20 
			 Rainsbrook 18 16 24 
			 Oakhill 35 61 118 
			 Medway 75 36 41 
			 Total 155 145 203 
		
	
	The table below, also based on data supplied by the Youth Justice Board, shows the number of such incidents that involved the use of a distraction technique.
	
		
			 Distractions January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 
			 Hassockfield 1 0 1 
			 Rainsbrook 0 0 1 
			 Oakhill 0 1 1 
			 Medway 0 1 0 
			 Total 1 2 3 
		
	
	Data provided by the Youth Justice Board from administrative computer systems. The distraction techniques used in this period was the thumb technique.

Young Offenders

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Since 1 January how many (a) 14 year-olds, (b) 15 year-olds, (d) 16 year-olds, and (d) 17-year-olds have been transferred from secure training centres or local authority secure children's homes to young offender institutions.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Information about outgoing transfers is not collected centrally. The Youth Justice Board informs us that providing the information requested would involve a manual search of records at establishments: this could only be done at disproportionate cost.